St John Fisher & St Thomas MoreRoman Catholic Church

Youth news

Become a climate champion: Unique opportunity for 18-35 year olds

Information about the role

Climate change, living more sustainably and caring for creation are crucial parts of our faith. This new international volunteer opportunity will enable you to gain new experiences, meet other volunteers from across Europe and play your part in creating a better world.

CAFOD is looking for thirty volunteers, aged 18-35, to become climate champions.

Skills and training

As a CAFOD climate champion, you will take part in an international workshop in summer 2018 on sustainability with other Catholic young people from across Europe. When you return, based on your own strengths and skills, we will support you in raising awareness about climate change, sustainable living and CAFOD campaigns in your parish or community.

We are looking for people with an interest in sustainability and/or campaigning with CAFOD who are enthusiastic to learn more. We also want to recruit people with a mix of skills, experience and backgrounds to take part.

For more information and how to apply

Questions? Not sure if this is right for you? Call 0303 303 3030 and ask for Libby Abbott in the Campaigns team; or email labbott@cafod.org.uk.

Flame 2017

In the week or so before I went to Flame 2017, whenever people asked me what it was, I’d say something to the tune of “It’s like a little Christian music festival.” I was joking, but I was surprised to find on the day that, broadly, that’s what it was.

Flame is the largest collection of Christian Youth in England- over 10,000 young people attended the festival, not including group leaders, adults, and the chaplains and clergymen that came with us. The event was a strange mixture of liturgy, music, and charity. Liturgy was wonderful- the atmosphere you get from 10,000 people going silent is quite moving, and it was sincere and thoughtful throughout. The music was incredible- it is Wembley Arena, after all – and the anthem of the hour was‘10,000 Reasons’ by the worship artist Matt Redman. The last time he played it, at the very end of the concert, the roof was raised, phone lights were on, and we were all on our feet – it was an incredible sensation to join in with that euphoria, and it’s definitely something I would recommend.

Despite all the fun and music, the festival still carried a poignant message – mostly done through the boat.

The boat in question was a small fishing tug that stood by the stage for about half of the festival. When the tweets (social media was very active) started piling up, asking what the deal with the boat was, they told us. About two years ago, that boat held 36 refugees, as they crossed the Mediterranean in a boat meant for a quarter that. That boat made it. Others didn’t. That was what was so memorable about the event – it made a deep impression on us, whilst still being an extremely fun afternoon. And while it was certainly a celebration of faith, it was also a celebration of youth – we came together to celebrate faith and ourselves in a way that didn’t stop us from being… us.